On Friday, September 26, I attended a debate watch party in my neighborhood. Most of the people at this party are people I have known for six years. We are all like-minded, hard working people who want the best for our families and friends. We also believe that we need change in our country, and Obama is the one who can accomplish this difficult task.
Carrie Miranda, an optometrist invited 13 people to her small home on Montana Dr., in Prescott, Arizona. We assembled at 5:30 to share in good food, wine and friendship. We all had similar views on the debate, and were often bothered by similar statements. Earlier in September, I wrote an article for the Huffington Post, and had interviewed some of the same people.
One guest brought a copy of a drinking game from Mother Jones, and while we were watching the debate, we played the game. The game featured various slogans and buzz words that have been used on the Campaign Trail, such as "Country first", "Change" and other lofty ideals that may or may not take flight in the wake of the $700 billion bailout. While listening to this debate, all of the words were used at least three times and this caused great laughter and rolled eye-balls.
All of the people at the party will be knocking on doors, making phones calls and be helping our local precinct worker. In the immediate area in which we live, doing this type of work is often met with slamming doors and cursing, as we are in a very Republican enclave with small pockets of Democrats thrown in to keep it interesting.
The speech comments that seemed to rile up the group were numerous, but the most interesting ones were as follows and are from John McCain:
* The fundamentals of the economy are strong
* Spending must be under control
* Earmarking as a gate-way job
* Do away with ethanol
* Kill it, fix it
* I'm not Miss Congeniality
Some interesting statements from Barack Obama were as follows:
* Orgy of spending
* You have a hatchet where you need a scalpel
* IUD McCain's VP is against those (McCain previously misspoke, he meant IED)
* I don't even have a seal yet (in response to McCain's comment.) "One is available at Sea World" as said by Carrie M.
Many in the party thought that McCain changed his comments with the wind, and that he was just parroting Bush in his ideas. After all he had voted with Bush at least 90% of the time. The group thought that McCain was ungracious and unkind towards his opponent. They also felt that he was old, cantankerous and too tired to do such an important job as President of the United States. Some thought that he acted like a two year old and he did not have a clue of what he was saying. The group felt that the Red states would most likely stay red. They were bothered that McCain never spoke of the Middle Class. He never really cared about anyone other than the rich.
After hearing the general comments, I interviewed some of the group who did not mind being interviewed. The group is comprised of college-educated 40-65 year olds. I am one of the younger ones.
Bill: "Obama was a better speaker and McCain was an angry old fart."
Sateesh: "Obama was more specific and McCain seemed more publicity oriented, self indulgent and not on point. He was more cavalier in his answers. McCain will not sway independents."
Mark: "Obama played it safe because he has a stronger position and is up in the polls. He treated McCain as a colleague. McCain spoke better than I expected, but still relied on his lies. He did not speak to Obama, but spoke past him - never seemed to acknowledge his opponent."
Ann: "McCain insisted on bringing up old positions and events from the 1980's, with lots of reiteration - not valid, old issues of Reagan and others. Obama was to the point and forward looking. He discussed what he wants to see in the future and is mainly concerned with humanity as a whole."
Doug: "McCain gained no points with the undecided voter and kept close to the vest - no risk to himself. He was very robotic, and unprepared. Obama was personable, gained undecided votes. The talk of the $700 billion bailout did not produce any good answers, and the questions seemed to drag on too much. I think that it was a draw. For the undecided voter, Obama won."
Carrie: "It was a good job for both. McCain didn't win anything he didn't have already. He didn't pick up any swing voters. He was very insecure, and he lies like a Meth addict and seemed to believe his own lies. Obama did much better in attracting swing voters and my favorite statement was "You are wrong." Obama listed 6 reasons why that was true."
Overall, I thought that the group was in tune with the issues, and I would go to another event hosted by others just to see if there are differences in thoughts or ideas. This event was more intimate by the very nature that the event was held in a house. I definitely think that this group is unique to my area as we are all friends. The group feels that much of the media is biased and is very careful on what channel they listen to.